Sarah, A Young Woman whose Experience with Addiction Represents A Common Scenario for Many Other Individuals who Likewise Suffer from Addiction, Was In Treatment For Addiction Yet After 3 Months of Treatment her Life Had Regressed To One of Isolation in Her Home, Feeling Overwhelmed And The Impact of Her Addiction, Resulting In Her Once Again Acceding to Her Addictive Cravings.
Current national data highlights how challenging recovery can be without ongoing support. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 60% of individuals who attempt to maintain sobriety on their own relapse within their first year of recovery. This reinforces an essential truth: recovery is not an individual journey. Instead, it is a collective experience, strengthened by trusting relationships and access to appropriate substance abuse treatment that extends beyond initial care.
The Science Behind Our Need to Belong: How Connections Between People Impact our Minds and Actions
The Brain Relies on Connection as much as it Does on Oxygen. The Formed Bonds Between Individuals During the Recovery Process Affect the Mental and Emotional State of Those Involved. These Connections Can Also Help to Restore Damaged Neural Pathways As a Result of Drug Use or Alcoholism.
Oxytocin and Stress Reduction During Group Meetings
As People Hug and Share Their Feelings, They Produce The Chemical Oxytocin which Can Help To Calm The Individual. During a Group Meeting, This Will Aid in Lessening The Amount of Cortisol (A Stress Hormone) Which Is Responsible For Triggering Cravings.
During The Early Days of Recovery, There Will Be Many Overwhelming Days Where High Levels of Anxiety and Stress May Cause A Return To Previous Addictive Behaviours. However, Sharing Laughter and Tears With The Group Provides A Sense Of Safety Which Aids In Reducing Heart Rate And Stress Levels; Similar To The Feeling Of Being Wrapped in A Warm Blanket During A Cold Night.
In Studies, It Has Been Found That Social Support Is A Key Factor In Providing Successful Recovery From Drug And Alcohol Abuse; Those Mentally Experiencing Social Interaction Have Stronger Brain Responses To Cravings And Have Learnt To Trust The Group As Protection Against Relapse.
Pillars of Peer Support: Considering All Different Community Models
The birth of support in its many forms has led to a wide array of models providing unique methods for connecting to others and many of these models can be applied to your life.
The 12-step programs all use the traditional paradigm of steps, structure, and shared experiences that had been developed through decades. The philosophy of: taking life one day at a time is central. Each individual usually has a sponsor who helps them and been through similar struggles.
The value of sharing your story cannot be overstated, as by seeing or hearing “I have been there” eases shame. Many long-time program members have maintained sobriety for many the length of time. Studies have documented doubled sobriety rates from attending AA.
Tradition creates an environment of trust; once you have developed an account through going to a meeting, it creates a sense of repetition; similarly to when family members get together after a separation and everybody is experiencing similar pain.
Alternatives to Faith-Based Recovery and the Twelve Step Program
Some people may not want to include faith in their recovery, for example. SMART Recovery is based on science and has tools for successfully coping with addiction that do not include reference to any higher power.
Refuge Recovery uses mindfulness as the basis for its program, which would appeal to individuals interested in finding more calm methods for their recovery. The focus should be on building connections with others in your group regardless of what they may believe in or think is important.
To find out what is best for you, go to several groups and determine what the atmosphere is like at each group and if it fits your beliefs. Start by attending a few small groups and testing the waters until you feel comfortable attending a larger group.
For younger individuals, especially those navigating emotional development alongside addiction, access to teen mental health treatment within supportive group settings can be particularly impactful. These programs address both substance use and underlying emotional challenges, helping adolescents build healthier coping mechanisms early on.
Overcoming Barriers to Community Engagement
There are going to be obstacles along your journey of community engagement, but just like all roads, you can clear them out, and make room for new life-changing opportunities for yourself.
Addressing Social Anxiety and Fear of Judgment
Social anxiety and fear of being judged by others are real barriers to community engagement. New people can be very intimidating. You may feel ashamed, and feeling ashamed of being in a group can be a very lonely place. The truth is, there is a lot of raw truth that comes out of groups.
Take small steps first. Attend your first 3 meetings sitting in the back of the room to simply observe. There is no need to say anything on the first three occasions.
Take a deep breath and know that everyone has experienced this at some point in their life. You will be amazed how one smile can dissipate the anxiety you feel about being in a new environment, and it will decrease in severity with time.
Groups can have a variety of conflict and unhealthy dynamics. Some groups have drama, gossip, and cliques, and they will drain you emotionally. You need to be aware of the red flags you see in a group, and respect the fact that if you see one or more of these signs, it is time to switch groups.
Listen to your feelings about how you feel about yourself in your new group. It is self-care to choose a group that will be a positive place for your emotional well-being.
Take the time to have open, honest conversations with your sponsor about the dynamics in your group. You can build awareness (and remove any doubt) by sharing what you see with your group sponsor. Remember, the group dynamics that lift you up are healthy, whereas those that pull you down are not.
